Wildland fire threatens structures

State, Price and Helper fire fighters battle the blaze that swept through a brushy area near Castleview Hospital Sunday night.

By RICHARD SHAWSun Advocate publisher

A fast-moving brush fire lit up the area north of Castleview Hospital on Sunday evening and threatened some structures in the area before fire fighters from the state, Price and Helper were able to get it under control.

The fire started near a cul-de-sac in Westwood Subdivision and took off from there, according to Price Fire Chief Paul Bedont. No cause had been determined as of Monday afternoon.

It was a fire that had potential to cause some real destruction, so Price sent three engines to the scene, Helper an engine and a water tender, and one state brush truck was sent to fight the blaze.

The fire, which began between 7:30 and 8 p.m., did more than just burn brush though. It torched a billboard near Highway 6. Bedont thought between $6,000 and $8,000 in damage was done to the sign.

As the fire progressed people, stopped along streets and along Highway 6 to watch it. Smoke could be seen throughout the area and later in the evening almost every resident could smell it.

"We are still trying to determine the cause," said Bedont on Monday morning. "We have a BLM investigator out there right now and what he finds will determine whether I will put a call in to the state fire marshal to have them come out."

A fire erupted again Monday afternoon adjacent to the burned area and fire fighters responded.